From: La Prensa
Pretoria, Apr 24 (Prensa Latina) South African government confirmed today a redouble of sanctions against illegal cigar or cigarette trafficking, in a multi-departmental effort to counter this crime in the region.
New sanctions include a fine of one thousand 800 dollars or three times the value of confiscated property to over five years of prison, indicated a statement from the National Prosecuting Office, signed by the Ministry of Police and the Tobacco Institute.
These authorities explained that sale prices below the standard market can indicate irregularities in the payment of taxes, so as the lack of the embossed seal or health warnings.
In addition, the report indicates that if the package of cigarettes does not have indications on the level of nicotine or a phone number (smokers’ helpline) it will also be considered an illegal product, with its respective penalties.
According to ministry data, about eight million packages of illegal cigarettes were sold in South Africa in 2013, at a cost to the government of nearly 470 million dollars in terms of lost profits.
